Community Groups
Welcome Families & Caregivers
Community Groups provide information, resources, and support to families connected to the group. They groups are based on location, age, relationship to the person with Down syndrome, culture, and/or native language. The groups run independently of each other, and are supported by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis. Each of our Community Groups has a unique personality and strives to serve the families involved.
SPECIAL INTEREST COMMUNITY GROUPS
African American Community Group
Serves: Families in the Greater St. Louis area
Main Contact: Makini Anwisye – 314.961.2504
makini@dsagsl.org
facebook.com/dsagsl | dsagsl.org
Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (DADS) Group
Serves: Dads in the Greater St. Louis area
Main Contact: Tony Sorocko – 314.393.8548
dadsstl@outlook.com
Down syndrome & Autism Dual Diagnosis Group
Serves: Families in the Greater St. Louis area
Main Contact: Christy Klaus – 314.961.2504
christy@dsagsl.org | facebook.com/dsagsl | dsagsl.org
Family Resource Network
Serves: Parents & Caregivers of adults with Down syndrome 21+ in the Greater St. Louis area
Main Contact: Makini Anwisye – 314.833.7586
makini@dsagsl.org | facebook.com/dsagsl | dsagsl.org
Let's Play! Community Group for Littles
Serves: Families in the Greater St. Louis area with babies, toddlers, and children preK – grade 6
Main Contact: Laura Vrabel – 717.525.2144
vrabellaura@gmail.com | facebook.com/groups/dsagslplaygroup
Moms Group
Serves: Moms in the Greater St. Louis area
Main Contact: Linda Kamphorst – 314.833.8214
linda@dsagsl.org | facebook.com/dsagsl
This group is looking for new leadership. Please contact Abigail@dsagsl.org for more information.
LOCATION-BASED COMMUNITY GROUPS
Down Syndrome Community Group of Upstate Missouri
Serves: Kirksville, Brookfield and surrounding areas
Main Contact: Becky Pike – 660.651.5139
kirksville_cg@dsagsl.org – facebook.com/dscnemo
Heartland Community Group
Serves: Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois
Main Contact: Claire Watson – 573.334.5685
heartland_cg@dsagsl.org – facebook.com/heartlandDSA
Metro-East Down Syndrome Alliance (MESDA)
Serves: Belleville, O’Fallon, Shiloh, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: Erin Perez – 618.660.6045
medsa_cg@gmail.com
St. Charles County Community Group
Serves: St. Charles, West County, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: Judy Dodge – 314.954.6448
judyd772@gmail.com | facebook.com/groups/dsagslstcharlescounty
Southern Illinois Community Group
Serves: Carbondale, Creal Spring, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: Samantha Dudley – soil_cg@dsagsl.org
facebook.com/SIDownSyndromeCommunityGroup
OTHER AREA DOWN SYNDROME GROUPS
These are groups that may have their own not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) status, are in our area, are close and valued partners of the DSAGSL, and who often have overlapping membership
Down Syndrome Guild of Central Missouri
Serves: Columbia, Jefferson City, Central Missouri
Main Contact: Jessica Fahey- Program Coordinator, 913.384.4848
www.facebook.com/centralmodsfamilynetwork
Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks
Serves: Springfield, MO and surrounding areas
Main Contact: info@ozarksdsg.org, 417.885.9905 or 888.655.5173
www.dsgo.life | www.facebook.com/dsgo.life
Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society
Serves: Springfield, IL and surrounding areas
Main Contact: lldss@comcast.net, 217.415.8716
www.lldss.org
www.facebook.com/lincolnlanddownsyndromesociety
Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization
Serves: McLean County, Bloomington/Normal, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: info@cidso.org, 309.452.3264
www.cidso.org | www.facebook.com/CIDSO.org
Riverbend Down Syndrome Association
Serves: Southwest Illinois
Meetings: Fourth Monday of each month, 6:30-8:00p at LeClaire Christian Church, 1914 Esic Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Main Contact: Secretary@riverbendds.org
www.facebook.com/riverbendds
Down Country
Serves: Hannibal, Palmyra, Quincy, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: info@upatdowncountry.com, 217.617.3568
www.upatdowncountry.com
www.facebook.com/upatdowncountry
Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association
Serves: Peoria County, Tazewell County, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: info@hoidsa.org, 309.712.4852
www.hoidsa.org | www.facebook.com/HOIDSA
Down Syndrome Support Group - Blessing Hospital
Meetings: last Monday of every month at 6:30pm at 11th Street Auditorium at Blessing Hospital
Main Contact: 217.223.8400 x4190
